Kenny Rogers

Do you remember New Christy Minstrels? If no, try to visit their page in this blog. One of the past members was Kenny Rogers.

He was born in Houston (Texas, US) in August 21, 1938. His full name is Kenneth Donald Rogers. He grown up as the fourth child of the seven siblings in the poorest town district. As very young boy he started in music band Scholars. In 1958 they recorded pop hit That Crazy Feeling. He didn’t finish to sing neither meanwhile studying on Houston University, also during his next job (he worked as member of advertising dept. of recording company). Real music career began with his membership in jazz trio of Bobby Doyle (The Bobby Doyle Three), where he played on bass. After his membership in vocal quartet Kirby Stone Four, he joined in music band New Christy Minstrels. In 1967, when the group finished its activity, established band First Edition (with few past members of New Christy Minstrels as Mike Settle, Terry Williams, Thelma Lou Camacho, Terry Jones). In the next years he recorded more albums as Just Dropped in (To See What Condition My Condition Was In – 1968), very famous song Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town (about soldier’s returning from Korea war – 1969. This song had been till Top 10. This is the first Kenny Rogers’s song which I had been listened.), Reuben James – 1969, Something’s Burning – 1970 or Heed The Call – 1970. In the end of 1972, the band had TV show, but popularity went already down. That’s why they stopped activity. It was that moment, when Kenny decided to set himself on self feet and started his solo career. He signed exclusive contract with company United Artist (1975). In the moment then he recorded his first country album You Lifted Me. It was his debut album and in the beginning of 1976 it became number one in hit parade. But he started to famous with the single Lucille from 1977. This album was on the top of country and also pop hit parade (number one in Hot Country, number five in Pop). They sold about five million copies. This recording got award Album of the Year and brought to Kenny the first Grammy. He was also vote award The Favourite Singer of All Time. From this moment Kenny started to bring one hit after another and also other interesting awards in many different categories (he has received many awards for his music and charity work, included Grammys, AMAs, ACMs, CMAs). He freely traversed interim style, he showed that country star can have success also in pop scene. He had some famous duets with famous singers as Kim Carnes (I don’t Fall in Love With a Dreamer), Sheena Easton (We’ve Got Tonight), Dottie West (Every Time Two Fools Collide, AnyoneWho Isn’t Me Tonight, What Are We Doin’ in Love), etc.. He came to TV shows, acted in few movies (Six Pack, The Gambler, Christms in America, Covard of the County, …). In the end of 1983 he finished cooperation with United Artist and signed new contract with RCA company. From this time I can reflect song Islands In The Stream with Dolly Parton (song was composed by Bee Gees originally for Diana Ross and immediately became hit), Real Love, Crazy, Morning Mesire, ….. In 1989 he choose recording company again, now it is Reprise Records, where he recorded his the most famous hit Love Is Strange (again duet with Dolly Parton). In the end of 80-teen and in the beginning of 90-teen he was busy by charity work, concerts and his own restaurants with fast food Kenny Rogers’s Roasters. Also he wrote two books (Kenny Roger’s America, Kenny Rogers: Your Friends and mine). He established recording studio Dreamcatcher in 1998 and produced Christmas album Christmas From The Heart. In the last time, his succes was album The Greatest. In the 21st century, Kenny is back with new single.(Buy Me a Rose). He doesn’t record any album, but he has success with greatest hit packages. He income to American Country Charts.

From his private live: Kenny has been married five times. Now his current wife is Wande Miller. He has one daughter and four sons.